DX-4400 SD/HD/2K Dual-channel 3G-SDI Text & Graphics Overlay Inserter (OSD) with PIP & SDI Loop Output

The DX-4400 is a high performance low latency single/dual channel 3G-SDI Video Text and Graphics Overlay Inserter supporting alpha blended text and graphics overlay/on screen display (OSD) for progressive, progressive segmented frame (PsF) and interlaced video formats for SD, HD, FHD, 2K resolutions, A license upgrade is available for 4K UHD and 4K Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) video resolutions up to 4096x2160p30 using Dual Link 3G- SDI with Quad and 2SI mapping.

The product passes all video content* (on the primary video input) including audio channels and embedded metadata. Either SDI input can be used for PIP and for a scaled dual (side-by-side) display. Secondary SDI outputs provide a clean loop pass-thru output of each input.

User Configuration, Management & Control

An integrated ARM SoC supports enhanced text, telemetry data, image overlay including graphic widgets, line/circle drawing and rotations. Up to 1,000 independent text fields, images and graphic elements can be overlaid (inserted) onto the video stream. An extensive command set allows for full control of size, font type, color, position, background color and full transparency control. The overlay data and user commands are delivered to the unit through the RS-232 (DB9 or USB) serial ports or via a TCP Ethernet connection. A Web user interface is available for configuration, management, maintenance and control.

Interactive Graphic Overlay Designer User Interface

The Interactive Graphic Overlay Designer user interface (UI) offers the user a WYSIWYG method to configure the video text and graphic overlay information using a USB mouse and keyboard attached to the DX-4400. Overlay text, images and graphical components can be placed, sized and their attributes (color, font etc.) configured and modified as required directly while the user observes the video overly display on the output video. RS-232 and UDP data streams can be parsed and dynamically overlaid onto the output video stream.

A YouTube video demonstrating the use of the Interactive Graphic Overlay Designer UI is shown below.

Modes of Operation

The SD, HD, FHD and 2K product passes all video content* (on the primary video input) including audio channels and embedded metadata. Either SDI input can be used for PiP and for a scaled dual (side-by-side) display. Secondary SDI outputs provide a clean loop pass-thru output of the respective SDI input.

The unit has eight user selectable Modes of Operation, each offering a different set of features and functionalities.

NOTE: Based on customer feedback, additional Modes of operation are being added via firmware updates.

1) Dual Channel Text & Graphics Overlay Inserter

In this mode the product provides 2 video channels with separate text and graphics overlays for each channel. Each channel supports the SD, HD, and 3G video resolutions (listed below) complete with Ancillary (ANC) data pass through.

2) Low Latency Dual Channel Text & Graphics Overlay Inserter

This mode also offers a low latency setting in which the video path has 1 to 2 lines of frame of delay. In this configuration, zoom, Alpha Blending and PiP functions are not supported.

3) Zoom Dual Channel Text & Graphics Overlay Inserter

This offers a zoom control for each channel for progressive video formats at SD, HD & FHD video resolutions. Ancillary data pass-through is not supported.

4) PiP Text & Graphics Overlay Inserter

This mode provides a single channel text inserter with a main input and a secondary input. Both inputs have scaling capabilities to allow for use as Picture in Picture (PiP), split screen or side by side configurations. The unit has a single text and graphics overlay and supports the SD, HD, FHD (3G) modes listed in the product specifications. Ancillary data from SDI input 1 passes through the unit to the output.

5) Low-latency PiP Text & Graphics Overlay Inserter

This is a low-latency version of the PiP Text Overlay Inserter with less than one frame of delay from input to output. Input 1 does not support PiP or Zoom. Input 2 supports PiP and zoom. ANC data pass-through is supported on Input 1.

Key Product Features

• Supports: RS-232 command line, Web and an intuitive Interactive Graphic Overlay Designer (WYSIWYG) interface
• Supports live text and telemetry data insertion on interlaced, progressive segmented frame (PsF) and progressive video streams
• SDI video overlay of text, images and software generated graphics
• Alpha blending overlay of text, images and graphics
• Parsing and display of incoming RS-232 or UDP over Ethernet data streams (This feature is available from the WYSIWYG Interactive Overlay design interface.)
• Dynamic positioning and rotation of overlay fields
• Supports text scrolling and crawling for news-feed applications
• Scaling of text and graphic images
• Integrated real-time clock with support for NTP & PTP time protocols for time & date applications
• Output video clock frequency is locked to input
• Programmable Frame Delay Compensation: 1-20 frames of delay
• Digital zoom (video scaling) of PiP input
• User configurable frame delay compensation (1-20 frames)
• Video frame capture
• Supports the Qt Meta Language (QML) for enhancing user interface-centric (animated) applications

Supported SDI Video Resolutions

SD, HD, FHD and 2K Formats:

• NTSC 480i @ 29.97 frames per sec (fps)
• PAL 576i @ 25 fps
• 720p @ 25 / 29.97 / 30 / 50 / 59.94 / 60 fps
• 1080i & 1080 PsF @ 23.97 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 30 fps (see Note 1)
• 1920x1080p @ 23.98 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 30 / 50 / 59.94 / 60 fps
• 2048x1080p @ 23.98 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 30 / 50 fps

Note 1) Interlaced and PsF video frames consist of 2 sequential fields at twice the listed frame rate.

4K Formats (optional License upgrade):

• UHD 4K: 3840x2160p @ 23.97 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 30 fps
• DCI 4K: 4096x2160p @ 23.97 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 30 fps

*Note, 4K uses Dual Link 3G-SDI operating with Quad and 2SI mapping to provide a single channel SDI Text & Graphics Overlay Inserter. 4K support is an optional product upgrade to the base 2K product. Refer to the website listing of the DX-4400-TI-4K product for additional details.

Video Ports

• Two 75Ω SD – 3G-SDI inputs
• Two 75Ω SD – 3G-SDI overlay outputs
• Two 75Ω SD – 3G SDI Loop/pass-thru outputs

Other User Port Interfaces

• RS-232 DB9 Serial & USB Serial
• USB OTG & Ethernet

Other Features

• Supports parsing & display of GPS data input from NMEA 0183 RS-232 data sources
• Supports* ancillary and VBI content including audio channels and embedded metadata on the main SDI feed
• Optional VBI line insertion capability. (Contact Microtronix Sales with your application requirements.)
• microSD card storage of user configuration, text fields, images (PNG, JPG, JPEG, BMP etc.) and graphic elements
• Auto system recovery after power-off
• Firmware upgradable via serial or Ethernet ports

*Note, not all features are supported across all video formats.

Power & Mechanical

• Power Adapter: regulated 12VDC @ 2.5A 110/240VAC adapter
• Mechanical: 172mm x 146mm x 38mm (DxWxH)

Product Customization

Microtronix provides product customization and engineering design services to support your system integration requirements. Contact Microtronix Sales today with a block diagram of your setup and a brief outline description of your design requirements.

Product Warranty

• 1-year factory replacement policy